Fujifilm X-T10 Review

The Fuji X-T10 is the newest X-mount mirrorless. It is built around the latest generation 16 megapixels X-Trans CMOS II sensor with built-in Phase-Detect AF and paired with an EXR II processor. This combonation delivers full-resolution images from ISO 100 to 51200. It can sustain frame-rates of 8 FPS for up to 8 frames.

The highly-mechanical design of the X-T10 blends analog and digital controls in an elegant and sturdy metal body. It offers direct dials for EC, Shutter-Speed and Drive-Mode, plus dual control-dials which give efficient access to all essential photography controls.

The new X-T10 is essentially a slimmed down version of the superb X-T1 Graphite
Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite. Its 0.39" viewfinder still has 2.4 megapixels with 100% coverage, only at a lower maginification of 0.62X, compared to 0.77X for the 0.5" EVF of the X-T1
Fujifilm X-T1 and its Graphite version. The extremely useful Eye-Start sensor is also found on the X-T10. Contrarily to its siblings, the X-T10 is neither weather-sealed nor freezeproof.

The unique 16 MP X-Trans CMOS II sensor with built-in Phase-Detect AF has a 1.5X crop-factor and 3:2 aspect-ratio. Like the original X-Trans sensor, the one in the X-T10 forgoes an anti-alias filter and is not prone to Moire thanks to its unique color-filter.

The X-T10 uses Fuji's own XF lens mount which has a very short flange distance. This makes it easier to design high-quality lenses and lens-mount adaptors, including one made by Fuji for the Leica M-mount. Fuji launched a total of 20 lenses by now. Plus, there are third-party lenses from Zeiss and Samyang now, plenty of options, besides long telephoto lenses.

This digital camera review analyses the usability, performance and image quality of the Fuji X-T10.

Fuji X-T10 Features

The Fuji X-T10 features a hybrid design which blends the dual control-dials of modern digital cameras with analog dials for most exposure parameters with aperture being usually control via a ring around the lens. This requires some explanations which we details right on this page, along with compromises taken in its execution. Compared to the X-T1, the X-T10 notably lost its ISO dial, pushing that crucial parameter to be set via some kind of menu.

This mirrorless digital camera is build upon a solid metal frame with rubber enveloping all but the bottom and upper portion of the body. The entire camera feels solid with a confidence-inspiring weight. The weak-point is that Fuji included a tiling LCD. The hinge is remarkably solid yet remains the only part which shows some flex. Given its built-in WiFi capability, there is little reason to have a titling display. This is a compromise Fuji choose which is out-of-place on a high-end offering.

The X-T10 is surprisingly small given its large display and high number of external controls. There is a very small and shallow grip to hold the camera by. Eyelets on both sides allow the use of a neck-strap which is highly recommended to keep the camera secure. The eyelet on the grip-side unfortunately digs uncomfortably into the index finger while reaching the shutter-release.

The front of the X-T10 shows a 3-way Focus-Mode switch a the lower-right. This one selects between Manual, Continuous and Single focus. At the lower-left of the mount is the Lens-Release. Near the top of the body, one can see the front control-dial which is used to adjust aperture. It can be clicked inwards to activate a custom function. Without a doubt, this one should be set to control ISO.

The top-plate is busy with analog dials. On the right, there is a Drive-Mode dial. Fuji did not have enough room for all possible modes, so several positions activate a choice which is made in the Camera menu. There are distinct positions for Single-Shot, 8 FPS Continuous Drive, Unlimited 3 FPS Continuous Drive, Multiple-Exposure and Motion Panorama. There are 2 Bracket and 2 Advanced positions too. The former ones access one of the X-T10's four bracketing modes: AEB, ISO Bracketing, WB Bracketing and Film Simulation Bracketing. The latter ones access each a different preset Scene mode.

On the left, there is a Shutter-Speed dial and another for Exposure-Compensation. Aperture can also usually be seen from the top too because it is marked on all Fujinon prime lenses. The Shutter-Speed dial is marked in full-stops until 1s. Slower shutter-speeds and 1/3 increments are set by the control-dials and hence are not visible from the top. Speaking of increments, the Fuji only works in thirds as even most lenses have an aperture-ring with 1/3-stop clicks.

The Shutter-Speed dial has an automatic position marked A. Lenses also have an A position to set aperture automatically. On prime lenses, this is a distinct position of the aperture-ring. On zooms, it is a switch. The Exposure-Mode is implicit by the positions of all these dials. This is simple yet crucial to understand. Any accidental movement of these dials causes the mode to change which unfortunately happens too easily. Of all these, lens aperture-rings are the most problematic and photographers must constantly keep an eye to avoid surprises.

The shutter-release is squeezed between the left-side dial. It is smaller than usual with a thread for a wired remote-release. It has a moderate amount of travel with a firm halfway point. Right at the corner of the top-plate, there is a tiny Video-Record button, flush with the metal surface of the camera. One has to keep it pressed around ½s to start filming. Make sure to release it though, otherwise the camera brings up the Fn1 Button Settings menu which can assign one of 22 functions to that button. The last item to see on top is the standard hot-shoe that sits on top of the EVF housing.

The left side of the camera has a hard plastic door. Behind it are HDMI and USB connectors plus a mini-jack. The mini-jack serves as stereo audio input or wired remote. The latter is for an electronic cable while the one on the shutter-release is for a mechanical one. We have the feeling supporting both is for nostalgia more than anything else.

The Fuji X-T10 features a high number of controls on its back which is dominated by a wide 3" tilting LCD with one megapixel of resolution. Just above the LCD, there is a 0.39" EVF with 2.4 megapixels with a good 0.62X magnification. The LCD is sharp with fluid motion and decent but below average visibility. Luckily, the EVF is extremely sharp with nice contrast and a fast refresh rate. It shows the scene clearly even in rather low light. On one side of the EVF, there is a rotating diopter control. On the other, there is a button which cycles between Eye-Start Sensor modes: EVF, LCD or Automatic.

Where both displays falter is that they are only Exposure-Priority in Manual exposure. It's not understandable why one would knowingly show a misleading preview. The histogram follows the display so tis only accurate with Manual exposure.

The back of the camera is plastered with buttons. Directly to the left of the EVF, there is a Delete and Playback button which work exactly as expected. Across from the viewfinder, there is a customizable AE-L button. It can hold or toggle exposure-lock. The camera's rear control-dial is next to it. It can be clicked inward to activate the MF-Assist. Further right, there is an AF-L button which locks focus only or both focus and exposure.

A Q button is found further down, just below a small empty area to rest the thumb. Pressing Q brings up an iconic menu which gives quick access to 16 camera settings: Custom Setting, ISO, Dynamic-Range, WB, Noise-Reduction, Image Size, Image Quality, Film Simulation, Highlight Tone, Shadow Tone, Color, Sharpness, Self-Timer, AF-Point, Flash Mode and LCD Brightness.

There is a 4-way controller with central OK right under the thumb-rest. The middle button activates the Menu system while each directional one can be assigned an individual function: Bracket, DOF Preview, ISO, Self-Timer, Image-Size, Image-Quality, Dynamic-Range, Film Simulation, White-Balance, Metering, AF Mode, Focus Area, Flash-Mode, Flash-Compensation, Select Custom Settings, Movie, Face-Detect, RAW, Aperture Settings, WiFi, Shutter-Type, Preview Manual Exposure or Preview Picture Effect.

Yet another customizable buttons is found at the lower right corner of the camera. The last button on the back is the Disp/Back button which is used to cycle over display modes or cancel actions. Fuji provides 3 set display modes plus a customizable one for the LCD. With the EVF on, Disp toggles between normal and full view.

The bottom of the Fuji X-T10 has a metal tripod mount which is neither in-line with the optical axis nor with the center of gravity of the camera. There is also a sturdy plastic door which covers the combined memory-card and battery compartment.

The design of the X-T10, which is similar to that of the X-T1, is well-intended but has a some weaknesses. It really seems Fuji could have done better with fewer controls even. Just replacing the Shutter-Speed dial with an ISO one and letting the rear control-dial set shutter-speed over the entire range would have made all exposure parameters accessible with great simplicity. Although not an issue with the camera itself, the aperture ring on all Fuji X-mount lenses is still too soft. This causes images to easily be capture at the wrong aperture and, consequently, shutter-speed.